Microsoft: DirectStorage API coming to Windows 11 for enhanced performance

It seems as though Microsoft Windows PCs may be able to match the gaming performance of the latest Xbox consoles in the near future. One aspect that made the difference is that DirectStorage helped the consoles load games faster, as it saved the current state where you last played. Well, it looks like the API will be made available to developers for Windows 11 and 10.

Most gamers will know that there were many games that used DirectX and related graphics card utilities to boost loading speeds and performance. DirectStorage uses the same technology in the new API. The development kit that Microsoft is making available promises to deliver improved features, and you’ll see titles loading faster than ever before.

For DirectStorage to work in Xbox consoles, Microsoft had to develop a custom NVMe SSD so that the game save states could load faster. The same rule will apply when you play any games using the same technology. If you don’t have these requirements in place, the visuals and performance will remain the same, and you won’t be able to experience any of the new speeds.

While DirectStorage will work for Windows 10, Microsoft says you’ll see better performance on Windows 11, especially with all the new features geared towards gaming. They also recommend Shader Model 6.0 support on a DirectX12 GPU graphics card. All in all, it seems you’ll need to get your system changed if you want to play games with the same abilities as the latest Xbox consoles. Who knows; it may even have an effect on Xbox Games Pass or any of the Android emulator games coming to Windows 11.